Things to do in Cardigan
Cardigan is a rich mix of culture, history, and breathtaking nature. It’s the perfect location for exploring on days away from our Quay West Holiday Park. It sits near the coast overlooking Cardigan Bay, surrounded by lush greenery and historic woodlands.
Like your favourite button-up jumper, Cardigan offers a warm welcome, whatever you decide to do. Let’s explore things to do in and near Cardigan.
Cardigan’s history
Cardigan Castle
It’s an understatement to say that Cardigan is rich in history. For starters, did you know that Cardigan Castle is over 900 years old? People actually lived in this area thousands of years ago, which we know thanks to amazing discoveries of old flint weaponry. The castle has seen its fair share of battles, sieges, and owners, and has been rebuilt several times.
Visiting the castle today, you’ll find a rather modern experience. Fully interactive, digital exhibitions bring its history to life. You can take a wander around the grade II listed gardens that burst with rare plant life, and a contemporary restaurant for food any time of day.
Castell Henllys Iron Age Village
Just up the road from Cardigan, you’ll find this Iron Age village standing exactly where it would have 2,000 years ago. Dotted around this rural area you can spot Iron Age roundhouses built with authentic materials and methods. Have a friendly chat with the villagers here and learn more about prehistoric life as it would have been.
After all that wandering and learning, you’re bound to be hungry. Don’t worry — not everything is Iron Age accurate as you won’t need to hunt or forage to fill hungry bellies! Pop to Caffi'r Caban, the cabin cafe, and tuck into a variety of hot and cold food and drinks next to the river.
Nature around Cardigan
From the sea caves at Cardigan Bay, coastal paths, and thick woodland, Cardigan and the surrounding villages is a rich tapestry of habitats and terrains. Looking for outdoorsy things to do near Cardigan? Make sure you’re wearing your wellies as you go exploring!
Teifi Marshes
Tiny but mighty, the River Piliau travels through the Teifi Marshes, bringing with it a massive variety of wildlife. You’ll have a chance to spot all kinds of critters in the varied landscape here, as there’s woodland, pastures, mudbanks, reedland, and hedgerows. Pop into a bird hide to watch snipe, curlew, and even peregrine falcons as they feed and hunt. It’s an animal lover’s paradise! You can explore the areas on foot — there are paved, decked, and rough terrain areas to trek over.
If you decided not to bring a packed lunch to enjoy along the river, head to the Glasshouse cafe for freshly homemade food and drink.
Coedmor National Nature Reserve
Once part of a gigantic forest, Coedmor is what’s left after it was cleared in the middle ages for farming. The gorge here, on the bank of the River Teifi, offers a humid climate for all kinds of plants and animal species. You can take the gorge trail (be careful, it’s short but steep) and spot fungi, birds, and butterflies.
Wander a bit further to the Coedmor Mansion gardens to discover unusual plants and shrubs.
Cardigan Culture
Fancy a bit of culture? Cardigan is bursting at the seams with quirky restaurants, distilleries, galleries, and unique shops.
Stiwdio 3
Stiwdio 3 encapsulates all the best bits of the artsy community here in Cardigan. It’s part trendy cafe, part crafting space with art classes, and part shop with ever-rotating locally produced items. This light and airy establishment is wonderful if you’re a dab hand at crafting, or if you admire those that do it! Stop in for a locally-sourced light bite (with vegan options) or book your spot on a craft course.
In the Welsh Wind Distillery
This one’s more for the grown-ups. In The Welsh Wind started from humble beginnings in a renovated cow shed and is now offering award-winning artisan gins. If you have a taste for the finer spirits, why not book a tour of the distillery or a gin-tasting experience? Go one better and become a distiller yourself — craft your own gin with the gin-making experience.
If you’d rather skip the hands-on stuff and sit back with a chilled G&T, you can buy spirits from the bottle shop or chill in the gin bar.
Cardigan Guildhall Market
A blend of modern Gothic and Arabic architecture, the Guildhall Market building is steeped in culture and history, but let’s be honest — it’s a brilliant place to shop. There are over 30 traders across two floors, selling everything from jewellery and vintage clothing to fresh produce and crafting supplies.
All that shopping will have you working up an appetite, so save a few quid for the end of the trip and grab something to eat at the cafe inside.
Start planning your Great British break
Related Posts
Things to do in Milford Haven
Things to do in Pembroke
Things to do in St Davids
Important information
*New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 29 August 2024
*Holiday home price is based on a new 3-bedroom ABI Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 29 August 2024, price is available at selected parks Blue Dolphin, Craig Tara, Cleethorpes Beach, Caister, Combe Haven, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggerston, Orchards, and Quay West. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 – UPDATED 31 JULY 2024 *Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 31 July 2024, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Caister, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggeston, Orchards, Quay West, Skegness and Wild Duck.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Site fees from as little as £150 a month with Let2offset at Lydstep Beach
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
“Site fees from as little as £150 a month with Let2offset” is available at Lydstep Beach. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance. Offer is subject to availability.
"Site fees from as little as £150 a month with Let2offset” is applicable to new customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. This offer is available at Lydstep Beach only and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade) for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Site fees from as little as £150 a month with Let2offset” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Lydstep Beach with a monthly site fee of £899.00 (includes purchasing discount of £29) and monthly letting income of £719.00. The monthly difference equates to £151 which will be charged to the owner's account monthly; to meet the site fee payment of £150 per month, an additional credit of £1 per month will be applied to the owner’s account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.